Students and professors along with city employees recently put finishing touches on a musical playground on the 2.4-mile Karl Stirner Arts Trail in Easton that tracks along Bushkill Creek.
The musical path includes six sets of chimes, arranged in half circles, four of which allow visitors to make up their own tunes, says Benjamin Cohen, associate professor of engineering studies, whose students were among the designers and creators of the project.
Another set plays Beethoven’s “Für Elise” when you drag a stick over it. Another plays “Fir Easton,” a song composed by music major Johnny Gossick ’18, which rearranges the notes of “Für Elise.”
Prof. Larry Stockton plans to bring his Percussion Ensemble class to play on the chimes.
“The students worked with the city and the arts community to create a place-specific art installation of lasting value while they demonstrated interdisciplinary engineering studies research and design principles. The piece fits beautifully into the landscape instead of disrupting it and is a playground for children of all ages.”
Benjamin Cohen
Associate professor of engineering studies
“The musical path is only a small example of what is possible when the city and College work together for the betterment of the community.”
David Hopkins
Easton director of public works
“It was designed so anyone from 2 years old to 92 can engage and become absorbed in a creative immersive musical experience. The piece expands the dialogue on the trail to include audible aesthetic experiences. For Lafayette, it exemplifies our engagement with the community and the ability to work toward a communal goal.”
Jim Toia
Director of community-based teaching